What are the most beautiful villages in France? Ancient fortresses, unique architecture or verdant gardens: these villages with their unusual attributes have certainly caught the eye of The Times, which has chosen the 25 prettiest French communes. From Normandy to Provence and Burgundy, every region is represented!
Turenne
Turenne, the nugget of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, is ranked 17th. Its charm and cachet are largely due to its many narrow streets and turreted townhouses. If you’re a lover of nature and history, this is the destination for you.
La Roche-Guyon
Just 55 kilometers from the capital, La Roche-Guyon is a veritable treasure trove in the heart of the Vexin regional nature park. Nestled in an arm of the Seine, this village boasts everything from Francilien architecture to Norman half-timbered houses. The highlight, however, is the château, enthroned on a cliff above the village.
Gerberoy
Another village just a stone’s throw from Paris, Gerberoy is an architectural gem of rare elegance. With its narrow cobbled streets and half-timbered houses dating back to the Middle Ages, this commune is a real treasure! Nature and flower-filled gardens also make it a natural wonder, ranked 10th by The Times.
Ansouis
Head for Provence and the Grand Lubéron to discover Ansouis, a beautiful village perched high above the vineyards. Under the southern sun, its dozens of lanes and alleys are bathed in light all day long. It’s a village with both a magnificent setting and a pleasant atmosphere.
Saint-Benoît-du-Sault
If the Centre-Val de Loire region has many unsuspected nuggets, Saint-Benoît-du-Sault is no exception. Situated between Limoges and Poitiers, this fortified village on a granite rock overlooks the river and offers a sumptuous setting for its inhabitants – and visitors!
Rochefort-en-Terre
Voted France’s favorite village in 2016, Rochefort-en-Terre this time ranks 2nd in The Times’ ranking of France’s most beautiful villages. Representing Brittany, this flower-filled commune, a true pearl of Morbihan, transports its visitors through the ages thanks to a fascinating history.
Ainhoa
According to The Times, to find the most beautiful village in France, head southwest to Ainhoa. On the Franco-Spanish border, this small commune bears the characteristic colors of the Basque Country. Established as a bastide in the 13th century, it welcomed pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.